BY BEN BILUA
Gizo
RELIEF efforts in Western Province received a major boost yesterday as vessel LC Kikori Chief arrived in Gizo carrying vital disaster supplies for communities affected by the recent tropical cyclone.
Members of the disaster response team were busy throughout the day unloading the supplies at the MSG building, marking another significant step in ongoing recovery operations.
Chairperson of the Western Province’s Provincial Disaster Committee, Collin Potakana, confirmed that a total of 19 containers were offloaded, including 16 containers filled with food supplies and three containers carrying non-food items (NFIs).
He said the supplies were made possible through contributions from the national government and several non-governmental organisations that have stepped in to assist communities in need.
“We received donations from World Vision, Save the Children, ADRA and mostly from our national government,” Potakana said.
He said four containers of foods and FNIs will be emptied for backload while 16 containers will remain in Gizo.
Chair of the Provincial Disaster Operation Committee, Wilken Miriki, said distribution of the supplies will begin as soon as all necessary formalities are completed.
He emphasised that priority will be given to the hardest-hit areas, where communities are facing urgent shortages of food and essential items.
Miriki also acknowledged the efforts of volunteers who assisted the disaster team in unloading the containers, describing their support as crucial to the operation.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of Livelihood, Sipuru Rove, said distribution of supplies to affected communities in North Rendova is expected to begin today.
Due to rough sea conditions in parts of Rendova Island, he said the supplies will be transported by helicopter to ensure timely delivery.
Rove added that distribution efforts will continue to other affected islands including Simbo, Ranongga and Vella later this week.
“There is no time to wait as people are facing food shortages,” he said.
Authorities say the arrival of the supplies signals hope for many families still struggling in the aftermath of the cyclone, as relief operations continue across the province.
Photo credit: Ben Bilua
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